Verdict

A trappy opener and we will select French Envoy ahead of Bumper and Liberty Ben. There is no doubting that French Envoy ran a shocker on his last start but his form against Boychuk is head and shoulders above any other on offer. That form at least indicates that he handles a right-handed track and what is certain is that Ian Williams will have had ample opportunity to iron out any ills. Bumper has shown the majority of his form on left handed tracks. He has a little to prove on racecourse evidence but Andrew Glassonbury takes off a valuable 7lb. Liberty Ben has joined Robert Alner from Emma Lavelle's yard. The horse has had a year off the course and is watched in the market in case there are any positive vibes in the betting ring. Another Chat won a maiden point in Ireland but is yet to show much on three UK starts. Red Granite showed signs of ability in bumpers although he was unfancied when tried over hurdles for the first time. Alf's Spinney struggled over two-and-a-half miles on soft ground and is dropped back over two miles. Montrolin showed some promise during National Hunt Flat races and is watched here. French Envoy is just about the percentage call in a race where there are plenty of negatives about the whole field.

Formwatch

Alf's Spinney 125-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 16, 35l behind Five Colours (11-4) at Hereford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft.

Another Chat (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, ridden 7th, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 40l behind Au Courant (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs.

Bumper (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Hampered 3rd, always behind, driven along and struggling before 3 out, 7th of 11, 31l behind Snakebite (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.

Freddie Ed 125-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, 12th of 16, well behind Five Colours (11-4) at Hereford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft.

French Envoy (FR) 13-8fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance after 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 16, 34l behind Kipsigis (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) gs in Nov.

Heavy Weather (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) In rear, some progress 5th, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Teeton Babysham (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) sft, 15 ran.

Idbury (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, weakening when mistake 5th, tailed off when pulled up at the 6th in race won by Teeton Babysham (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) sft, 15 ran.

Liberty Ben (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 6th, soon ridden, one pace after, 5th of 11, 17l behind Almah (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (E) sft.

Projectfiveonefive Tout Ensemble gelding out of a maiden pointer.

Red Granite 40-1 (10-12) Behind, mistake 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by What A Vintage (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Dec, 13 ran.

Regal Term (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) In rear, some progress when mistake 3 out and rider lost iron, weakened approaching last, 7th of 16, 15l behind Montecorvino (11-5) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) sft.

Roussea (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Always in rear pulled up 5 out in race won by Lustral Du Seuil (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f beg chs (D) gs in Dec, 10 ran.

Sunny Daze 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden after 5th, soon struggling, 8th of 10, 27l behind Honan (11-3) at Stratford 2m sll hdl (G) gs in Oct.

Gay Millenium 100-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, mistake 3rd and lost place, behind when unseated rider 4 out in race won by Bold Fire (10-6) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs, 10 ran.

Montrolin 66-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden along 5th, not fluent 7th, soon weakened, last of 9, well behind Gungadu (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.

The Langer (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 8th of 17, well behind West End Wonder (10-5) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd in Jul.